calculating symbolic matrix determinant

I have a problem to calculate the n*n matrix with Matlab. if n>=16 the solving procedure will be to long. My matrix is symbolic and most elements of the matrix are zero.from 256 elements of 16*16 matrix just 87 elements are not zero and one symbol in this matrix.How can I speed up the solution؟

[Matt J]

Explain why you think you need the determinant in symbolic form. Why is it impossible to achieve what you're after by converting the matrix to numeric form?

Answer 1

[samira]

Apparently I have the same issue here. I have a symbolic matrix 16*16 and MATLAB cant calculate the determinant (It has no problem with a symbolic matrix 8*8). Did you find any solution?