If you have a graph, slope is also defined as 'rise over run' or if you pick two points on a graph
(x1 , y1) and (x2 , y2 ) then slope will be (y2-y1) / (x2-x1) .
I should add, this is if you have a graph of a line.
For INSTANTANEOUS slope guest 1 has it right dy/dx is the slope....if you have the equation of the graph...it does not have to be a line... (which is kinda like the change in y divided by the change in x.....rise over run)...