A spring of stiffness k=250 N m−1k = 250\text{ N m}^{-1}k=250 N m−1 is stretched by 0.08 m from its natural length.

To maintain this stretched state in static equilibrium, what is the minimum number of external forces that must act on the spring, and what is the magnitude of each of these forces?
111 force of magnitude 20 N20\text{ N}20 N
222 forces, each of magnitude 10 N10\text{ N}10 N
222 forces, each of magnitude 20 N20\text{ N}20 N
222 forces, each of magnitude 40 N40\text{ N}40 N