Which color system produces white light when all colors are added together?

• A. Additive color
• B. RGB
• C. Subtractive color
• D. CMYK colors

Answer: (A)

Light colors follow an additive mixing rule: when the primary colors of light are combined, they create brighter light, and all three at full intensity produce white. This is why screens use the RGB model—red, green, and blue light added together give white and a wide range of other colors. In contrast, subtractive color works with pigments that absorb light; mixing cyan, magenta, and yellow pigments tends to darker tones and often black when all are combined. Printing uses CMYK as a practical subtractive system, not a method to produce white by mixing inks. So, the color system that yields white light when all colors are added is the additive color system.