How Do You Determine Lines of Maxima and Minima Based on Gradient?

[385sk117]

Homework Statement

Please look at the attached picture
In that I had to draw the line of maxima and minima

Homework Equations

line of maxima has greatest gradient
line of minima has smallest gradient

The Attempt at a Solution

which line should be the maxima? the line with the greatest gradient right?
and as the gradient of the lines are negative here, the most flat line will be the line of maxima? or i have to look at the absolute values of gradient?

 

[member 553083]

The line of maxima should be the one with the greatest absolute value of gradient. In this case, the line with the greatest absolute value of gradient is the bottom line. Therefore, the bottom line should be the line of maxima.