How to connect your iPad to iTunes on a Mac?

In an attempt to provide clarity, iTunes as a service was re-branded some time ago as Apple Music. At the same time, the related Apps on Mac, iPad and iPhone devices were similarly renamed.

iTunes as an App remained with Mac until its functionality was subsumed into Finder and the new Music App - at which time references to iTunes disappeared.

Information about macOS Finder - and its use with iPad - can be found here:

Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with your Mac - Apple Support

Locate and view your iPhone or iPad on your computer - Apple Support

If your device doesn’t appear in the sidebar when connected to Mac - Apple Support

iTunes has not appeared on Macs since the release of MacOS Catalina in 2019.

So it sounds like your Mac has a very old operating system that almost certainly cannot communicate with a more up-to-date iPad.