New Jersey Cosmetology and Hairstyling Practice Exam

What is the difference between a primary color and a secondary color?

1. A primary color is brighter than a secondary color

2. A primary color cannot be created by mixing other colors, while a secondary color is created by mixing two primary colors

3. A primary color is always darker than a secondary color

4. There is no difference

The correct answer is: A primary color cannot be created by mixing other colors, while a secondary color is created by mixing two primary colors

A primary color is fundamental in the color wheel and serves as a basic building block in color theory. It cannot be created by mixing other colors together. The primary colors—red, blue, and yellow—are essential since they can be combined in varying amounts to create a wide range of other colors. On the other hand, a secondary color is formed by mixing two primary colors together. For instance, mixing red and blue yields purple, mixing blue and yellow produces green, and combining red and yellow creates orange. This relationship highlights the role of primary colors as the source of secondary colors. Understanding this distinction is vital for color mixing in various fields, such as painting, design, and cosmetology, where knowledge of color theory can influence the outcomes of creative work.