Missouri Board of Cosmetology Practice Exam

Name the three primary colors used in color theory.

1. Red, green, and blue

2. Red, yellow, and blue

3. Yellow, orange, and violet

4. Blue, purple, and pink

The correct answer is: Red, yellow, and blue

The three primary colors in color theory are red, yellow, and blue. These colors serve as the foundation for creating other colors through mixing. When combined in various ways, these primary colors can produce a wide range of secondary colors, which include green, orange, and purple. This concept is central in both art and various design fields, including cosmetology, where understanding color interplay is crucial for tasks such as hair coloring, makeup application, and creating overall aesthetic looks. By mastering the combinations and relationships between these primary colors and their derivatives, a cosmetologist can achieve the desired results effectively. The other color sets listed do not represent the primary colors according to traditional color theory. Red, green, and blue, for instance, are primary colors in additive color mixing, often used in contexts like screen displays, but they are not considered primary in the subtractive model that applies to pigments.