9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein: applying the function to each hash value includes initiating the aggregate hash value as a constant, incrementally applying the function to each hashed statement to create therefrom a new aggregate hash value, and repeating application of the function until all hashed statements and the constant are represented by the aggregate hash value; and wherein the function is both associative and commutative.
9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein: applying the function to each hash value includes initiating the aggregate hash value as a constant, incrementally applying the function to each hashed statement to create therefrom a new aggregate hash value, and repeating application of the function until all hashed statements and the constant are represented by the aggregate hash value; and wherein the function is both associative and commutative. 10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the constant is zero.