Pros

Mean

1. Simple to Understand

The concept of the mean is easy to grasp, making it accessible for people with varying degrees of statistical knowledge.

2. Mathematically Tractable

The mean has nice mathematical properties that make it useful in further statistical analyses and modeling.

3. Takes All Values into Account

Unlike other measures like the median or mode, the mean considers every data point in the set, which can provide a more comprehensive view.

4. Consistent

If you measure the same thing multiple times, the mean of your measurements is likely to be close to the true value you're trying to measure, thanks to the Law of Large Numbers.

Cons

1. Sensitive to Outliers

Extreme values can heavily influence the mean, potentially providing a misleading representation of the data set.

2. Not Always Applicable

The mean is not always the best measure for data that is skewed or has a scale that doesn’t start from a true zero point (e.g., temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius).

3. May Not Represent Actual Data Point

The mean might not always be a value found within the original data set.

4. Can Be Misinterpreted

Because it's so commonly used, people may ascribe more meaning to the mean than is warranted for a particular application.