Which type of data would best represent the number of pets owned by families?

The number of pets owned by families is best represented by quantitative data. This type of data is numerical and is used to measure quantities. Specifically, when counting pets, you are working with whole numbers (e.g., a family can have 0, 1, 2, or more pets), which makes it a clear example of counting a measurable quantity.

In this case, quantitative data encompasses both continuous and discrete data. However, the number of pets is specifically an example of discrete data, as the counts can only take on whole number values – you cannot have a fraction of a pet.

Choosing quantitative data aligns perfectly with the context because it emphasizes the counting aspect of the pet ownership, allowing for statistical analysis of trends and averages based on whole numbers.