How many justices serve on the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court of the United States is composed of nine justices. This number has been established since 1869 and includes one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. The decision to have nine justices is rooted in historical precedent and allows for a diverse set of opinions and interpretations when ruling on cases, promoting thorough deliberation on significant legal issues affecting the nation.

Having an odd number of justices helps to avoid ties in decisions, which is particularly important for maintaining a clear and decisive functioning of the Court. The justices are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, further reflecting the system of checks and balances fundamental to American democracy.

Other numbers mentioned in the choices are incorrect as they do not reflect the current composition of the Court or its historical context.