When there are number of forces acting at a point, we can replace all the forces by a single force which

can produce the same effect of all the forces acting together. This single force is the resultant of the forces. For example two forces of equal magnitude but opposite in direction are acting at a point. A third force which is twice that of the other two, are acting perpendicular to the other two forces. The system has three forces. But two being opposite and equal cancel each other. Hence the resultant is the third force alone. Equilibrant is the force that is needed to bring the system in equilibrium. Therefore it is equal but opposite to the resultant of all forces. In the above case, the equilibrant is opposite to the third force and has the same magnitude.

The resultant of two vectors is that single vector which produces the same effect as the combined effect of two vectors. Equilibrant of a system of forces acting on a body is a single force, which is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the resultant.