Function

• Additive color refers to the practice of combining non-reflected, colored light. If the visible light spectrum is divided into thirds, red, green and blue are the predominant colors. These three colors are added together in equal amounts to make white light. In the same way, equal amounts of two of the three colors can be added together to make the secondary colors of cyan, yellow and magenta. Using different amounts of each color can create a plethora of derivative colors.
  
  

Significance

• If you have ever looked at a television or computer monitor, you have seen additive color theory in action. These screens use thousands of red, green or blue dots in combination. As the various colored dots are lighted, the pixels on the screen change from black to other colors.
  
  

Considerations

• Red, green and blue are primary colors only in additive color theory. In subtractive color theory, the primary colors are red, yellow and blue, or magenta, yellow and cyan.