Primary colors represent the most fundamental colors in a given system of color theory, serving as the basis from which other hues can be mixed. The definition of primary color depends on whether the color model being discussed is additive or subtractive. In an additive color system, which describes light, the primary components are typically red, green, and blue; combining equal intensities of these three colors results in white light. Conversely, in a subtractive color system, which describes pigments and inks, the primaries absorb different wavelengths of light. This model often utilizes cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMY) as its primaries, as mixing them theoretically allows for the absorption of all visible wavelengths, though in practice, mixing them results in a dark color.