If orange must be both lightened and slightly muted, which sequence is more controlled?

Correct answer: First add a tiny amount of blue, then white as needed

The governing concept is changing one colour property at a time. A tiny amount of blue, which is near orange’s complementary direction, reduces its saturation or intensity; white can then raise the value and make it lighter. Adding much black risks making the mixture too dark, while green, red, or all colours together makes the result unpredictable. Therefore option B gives the most controlled sequence.