How many states were required to ratify the Constitution for it to become law?

The Constitution of the United States required ratification by nine states in order to become law. This decision was established during the Constitutional Convention held in 1787. The framers recognized that achieving unanimous agreement among all thirteen states would be incredibly difficult, so they set a requirement for a smaller number to ensure the new government could be established.

By achieving ratification from nine states, the Constitution created a foundation for a functional and workable federal government, allowing it to operate while still providing the opportunity for the remaining states to join. This approach recognized the need for a balance between statewide autonomy and creating a unified national framework. Once nine states ratified the Constitution, it was considered in effect and began guiding the governance of those states that agreed to it.

The other options reflect numbers that either would have required too many states to reach a practical consensus or were not reflective of the original requirements set forth by the framers of the Constitution.