The correct choice is (a) The vector sum of the forces is zero
Explanation: When a body is in equilibrium, the sum of all the forces is zero. The sum of all the forces relates to the vector sum of all the forces and not any other sum. The scalar sum is always positive hence it cannot be zero. The forces need not be zero for the body to be in equilibrium, only the vector sum has to be zero. The same goes with the magnitude and direction of the forces.