The mean, or average value of a data set, is one of the most important methods of analyzing data. It often reflects where data is clustered in a set, and is used in many methods of statistical analysis, such as determining the standard deviation. The mean of a data set is not always completely reflective of how data is distributed, since the average of a data set may not account for outliers (data points far higher or lower than the rest of the set). Even so, it is a crucial metric that every person handling data should know how to calculate.