Final answer:
The determinant of a matrix is a value that provides vital properties of the matrix and can only be calculated from a square matrix. A matrix is an organized array of numbers in rows and columns, representing various mathematical entities and transformations.
Step-by-step explanation:
A determinant of a matrix is a special number that can be calculated from a square matrix. It is a scalar value that provides important properties of the matrix, such as whether the matrix is invertible and the volume distortion during the linear transformation represented by the matrix.
A matrix is an array of numbers arranged in rows and columns. It is a mathematical object that can represent linear transformations, systems of linear equations, and other mathematical concepts. Matrices have various sizes, described by the number of rows and columns they have.