What does "discrete" refer to?

The term “discrete” refers to something that is distinct and separate, denoting individual elements that are not connected or continuous. In various academic disciplines, such as mathematics and statistics, discrete items are countable, meaning they exist as separate units rather than part of a continuous flow. For instance, in statistics, discrete variables take on specific values (like counts of items) as opposed to continuous variables, which can take on any value within a range.

This definition emphasizes the idea that discrete components are identifiable and individual, making it clear why this answer is the most appropriate in the context of the question. The other options do not align with the definition of "discrete": "continuous" refers to something flowing without interruption, "integrated" implies a combining of elements to form a whole, and "related" suggests a connection between elements rather than their separation.