I don't know how to answer your question. Part of it depends upon what system you are using for the periodic table, part on if you are using the short form or the long form (probably long since the short form hasn't been used in several years), and part on how the groups/families are numbered. I think the best simple answer is 9. Groups I(alkali metals), II(alkaline earth metals), III(B group but no family name), IV(Carbon group but no family name), V(pnitogen group), VI (chalcogens), VII (halogens), VIII (nobel gases), then add one group for all of the transition metals.
