Data analytics is the science of analyzing raw data to make conclusions about that information. It helps businesses optimize performance by identifying more efficient processes, reducing costs, and improving products based on customer trends. There are various types of data analytics, including descriptive (what happened), diagnostic (why it happened), predictive (what will happen), and prescriptive (what should be done). Data analytics relies on tools like spreadsheets, data visualization, and programming languages to reveal trends and insights that can improve business optimization.