Which set of primary colors, when mixed together, absorbs all colors except the one reflected?

The correct answer is based on the principles of color mixing. Subtractive primary colors refer to pigments or inks that absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others. The primary colors in subtractive color mixing are cyan, magenta, and yellow. When these colors are mixed together, they absorb specific wavelengths of light corresponding to their colors, resulting in black or a dark color because almost all wavelengths are absorbed.

When mixed together, these subtractive primary colors absorb all colors of light except for the one that is reflected. For example, if you mix magenta and cyan, you absorb green light (since magenta absorbs green and cyan absorbs red), leaving you with blue as the color that is reflected. This is the principle behind mixing paints or dyes, where the combination of pigments leads to the absorption of various wavelengths and ultimately determines the color that is perceived.

In contrast, additive primary colors focus on how light is combined, which reflects different principles. When red, green, and blue light are combined, they produce white light, as all colors of light are being added together rather than absorbed. Thus, knowing that the question pertains to absorbing and reflecting colors gives clarity to why subtractive primary colors serve as the best answer.