What will the following code snippet return: console.log(typeof NaN);?

The code snippet console.log(typeof NaN); will return "number" because NaN stands for "Not-a-Number." In JavaScript, NaN is a special value that indicates an undefined or unrepresentable numerical result, such as when performing a mathematical operation that cannot yield a finite number (for example, dividing zero by zero).

In the context of the typeof operator, it is specifically defined that NaN is considered a number type in JavaScript. Therefore, when the typeof operator is applied to NaN, it evaluates to "number." This behavior can be surprising because NaN itself indicates an absence of a valid number; however, its type classification remains as a numerical data type.

Understanding this concept is crucial because it highlights the unique way JavaScript handles numbers and the specific values that can be returned from mathematical computations.