Discrete data refers to information that can only take specific, distinct values. This type of data is often counted rather than measured, meaning it consists of whole numbers. Examples of discrete data include the number of students in a classroom, the number of cars in a parking lot, or the number of pets owned by a family. Discrete data is typically represented using bar graphs or pie charts, as these visual tools effectively display the separate categories or counts. Unlike continuous data, which can take any value within a range, discrete data is limited to specific integers or categories.