Linked from
The 14 pages that link to Color matching (trichromacy), each with the reason it gives.
MetamerismRelated: They encode the visual system's metamer map in standard observer terms.
TrichromacyRelated: The linear algebra of trichromacy, measured directly in matching experiments.
Color mixingRelated: They quantify how mixtures of chosen lights can match perceived colors.
CIE standard observerNarrower topic: The standard observer consists of three such functions.