How many departments are within the cabinet?

The accurate number of departments within the U.S. Cabinet is 15. These departments are the major administrative units of the federal government and cover broad areas of public policy, government function, and service to the citizens. Each department is headed by a Secretary, who is a member of the President's Cabinet and serves to advise the President on matters related to their area of expertise.

The departments include significant areas such as the Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and Department of Health and Human Services, among others. Each of these departments has specific responsibilities and operates under the executive branch of the government. This structure allows for a more organized approach to governance, as it divides the vast array of government responsibilities into manageable sections, allowing for better focus and specialized management.

It's important to note that some of the other numbers cited in the options reflect misconceptions about the Cabinet's composition. While discussions of government often touch on other agencies and offices, the number of primary departments in the Cabinet is firmly set at 15.