The rate of change of z with respect to x is just 2.73, which is positive, so the slope in the positive x-direction is up, and in the negative x-direction is down.
The rate of change of z with respect to y is -1.51 which is negative, so the slope in the positive y-direction is down and in the negative y-direction is up
Go with heureka's answer - I've changed my mind on this twice already!!