Calculations on every 2nd row in a matrix in sets of 2 rows

I have a matrix of x and y points with 2 columns and n number of rows.

The first column is the x data (distance) and the 2nd coloumn is the y data (height (or depth in this case as they are underwater)). Each row represents a specific point on a topographic profile relating to either the top or bottom of a scarp so every two rows define the top and bottom of a specific scarp i.e., row 1 represents the top of a scarp and row 2 represents the bottom. Row 3 represents the top of a another scarp and row 4 represents the bottom of this other scarp, and so on. I want to calcualte the slope and height for each scarp. Therefore, I need to calculate the change in x and the change in y for each set of 2 rows representing the top and bottom of each scarp. I can't figure out how. Perhaps I need a loop?

An example of the data is as follows:

x (distance) y (Depth)

3704.43613041155 -1705.01061571125

3839.12346338856 -1751.88959660297

3973.81079636558 -1748.49256900212

4063.60235168359 -1762.76008492569

4211.11704970604 -1738.98089171975

4390.70016034206 -1787.89808917197

4814.00320684126 -1749.17197452229

4852.48530197755 -1766.15711252654

5570.81774452165 -1684.62845010616

5788.88295029396 -1742.37791932059

6526.45644040620 -1662.88747346072

6558.52485301978 -1683.26963906582

Many thanks in advance

Answer 1

[Ameer Hamza]

Something like this

f = fopen('data.txt');
data = textscan(f, '%f %f', 'HeaderLines', 1);
fclose(f);

data = [data{:}];
data_part = mat2cell(data, 2*ones(size(data,1)/2,1), 2);

data_diff = cellfun(@(x) diff(x), data_part, 'uni', 0);
slopes = cellfun(@(x) x(2)/x(1), data_diff);
heights = cellfun(@(x) x(2), data_diff);

(data.txt is attached)

[Alex Hughes]

Works perfect thanks!

Answer 2

[madhan ravi]

 matrix(1 : 2 : end, :) - matrix(2 : 2 : end, :) % ?

[Alex Hughes]

This is also an elegant solution!