How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court of the United States is composed of nine justices. This number has been set since 1869 and includes one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. This structure is significant because it allows for a balance of opinions and decisions, helping to ensure a variety of perspectives are represented in the court's rulings. The decision-making process involves discussion and deliberation among the justices, and having an odd number of justices helps to avoid ties in decisions, which is essential for maintaining the court's effectiveness and authority in interpreting the law. The other numbers listed do not reflect the actual composition of the Supreme Court, as seven, eleven, and five justices do not accurately describe its current structure.