A charge q is placed at the centre of the line joining two equal charges Q. The system of the three charges will be in equilibrium, if q is equal to
−Q4
For the equilibrium of charge Q, the force applied by both the charges i.e. another Q and q should be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. This is only possible when q has negative charge.
If d is the distance between both pairs of q and Q, then we can use coloumbs law:
FQq=−FQQ
14πε0.qQd2=14πε0.Q2(2d)2
⟹q=−Q4