Which of the following statements was a law established by the northwest ordinance? a: only territories with a population of at least 60,000 could apply for statehood b: the educational system would be paid for by the central government c: anyone who escaped slavery would be guaranteed freedom d: new states would be considered inferior to established states for their first 20 years

The Northwest Ordinance was enacted on July 13, 1787. It created the Northwest Territory, which was the first organized territory of the United States.

The Ordinance set the basis for the government of the Northwest Territory as well as the admission politics of its constituent parts and states.

According to this ordinance, each district was to be governed by a governor and judges appointed by Congress. Then, if the district attained a population of 5,000 adult free males, it would be recognized as a territory and it would be able to form its own representative legislature.  

Finally, until the Norwest Territory had incorporated a minimum of three and a maximum of five states, if an individual territory attained a population of 60,000, it could be admitted to statehood in the union.

So, the correct answer is A: Only territories with a population of at least 60,000 could apply for statehood.