Which statement describes the three primary colors used on most computer monitors?

• A. Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow
• B. Red, Green, and Blue
• C. Red, Yellow, and Blue
• D. Green, Blue, and Yellow

Answer: (B)

On most computer displays, colors are created by light using an additive color system. The three colors that drive this are red, green, and blue. Each pixel contains red, green, and blue subpixels, and by adjusting their brightness you can mix them to produce every other color you see on the screen. When all three are at full intensity, you get white; with different combinations, you get the full range of colors.

The other color sets belong to different contexts: cyan, magenta, and yellow are used in color printing (subtractive color mixing); red, yellow, and blue are traditional art primaries but aren’t used for screens; green, blue, and yellow isn’t a standard display primaries trio. Therefore, red, green, and blue best describe the primary colors used on most computer monitors.