Determinant of a square matrix is always a number.

Explanation:
- A determinant is a mathematical concept that is defined for square matrices only. It measures certain properties of a matrix and helps in solving various mathematical problems.
- A square matrix is a matrix with an equal number of rows and columns. In other words, it is a matrix that has the same number of elements in each row and column. The determinant of a square matrix can be calculated using various methods such as cofactor expansion, row operations, or by using specific formulas for special types of matrices.
- The determinant of a matrix is a single number that represents certain properties of the matrix. It can tell us if the matrix is invertible or not, if the matrix represents a linearly dependent or independent set of vectors, and many other properties.
- The determinant of a matrix is a scalar quantity, which means it is a single number and not a matrix. It is calculated by summing up the products of the elements of the matrix with their corresponding cofactors.
- The determinant of a 1x1 matrix (a matrix with only one element) is simply the value of that element itself.
- The determinant of a matrix can be positive, negative, or zero, depending on the properties of the matrix. For example, if the determinant is positive, it means the matrix represents a set of linearly independent vectors, whereas if the determinant is zero, it means the matrix represents a set of linearly dependent vectors.
- The determinant of a matrix is often denoted by the symbol |A| or det(A), where A is the matrix.
- In conclusion, the determinant of a square matrix is always a number, not a square matrix, column matrix, or row matrix.