How many justices serve on the Supreme Court?

The correct answer is that there are nine justices who serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. This number has been established since 1869 and has not changed since then, making it a foundational aspect of the Court's structure.

The Supreme Court is composed of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. The composition of nine justices allows for a balance in decision-making and helps to ensure that there is a majority view in case of disputes, ultimately enhancing the Court’s efficiency in reversing or affirming lower court decisions.

Understanding the number of justices is crucial because it relates to many aspects of how the Supreme Court functions, including the types of cases it hears, the majority rules for decisions, and the judicial confirmation process. The other numbers provided do not reflect the historical or current makeup of the Supreme Court.