Arizona State Board Nail Technology Practice Exam

What is the primary characteristic of a secondary color?

1. It is made up of three primary colors

2. It is created by mixing two primary colors

3. It cannot be mixed

4. It is derived from one primary color

The correct answer is: It is created by mixing two primary colors

A secondary color is defined as a color that is created by mixing two primary colors together. In color theory, the primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. When any two of these primary colors are combined, the result is a secondary color: for example, red and blue create purple, blue and yellow create green, and red and yellow create orange. This process of combining two basic colors allows for a broader spectrum of colors to be formed, which is essential in various fields such as art, design, and cosmetology, especially in nail technology where color combinations are important for aesthetic outcomes. The other characteristics listed in the options do not accurately describe secondary colors; they refer instead to different concepts in color theory or do not pertain to the definition of secondary colors specifically.