What Direction at a local minimum do the gradient vectors point?

Question

(1)Away from minimum, because the gradient points in the direction of rapid ascent?

(2)Toward the minimum,because the gradient points in the direction of rapid ascent

(3)the vectors point every which way, since there is norelationship between the gradient and extrema

ANy help would be great, explanation would be awesome
thanks

Answer 1

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gradient_vector

"In vector calculus, the gradient of a scalar field is a vector field which points in the direction of the greatest rate of increase of the scalar field, and whose magnitude is the greatest rate of change."

However, at a local minimum the gradient vector is zero, so it doesn't point anywhere.