How many justices are currently on the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court of the United States is composed of nine justices. This number has been established since 1869 and reflects the Court's structure that includes one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. The number of justices is significant because it helps balance decisions and prevent ties in rulings. While there have been proposals and discussions about altering the size of the Court throughout history, the number has consistently remained at nine for over 150 years. Understanding this context helps clarify why nine is the correct answer in this instance, as it aligns with the current composition of the Supreme Court as of now.