In the chart, it is clear that the regression line is y =13.44 + 1.66x, with a t value of 8.97. The standard procedure is to set up a hypothesis that there is no relationship between x and y. If that hypothesis is rejected, this means that x and y are indeed related. The t statistic is used to determine whether there is a significant relationship between x and y. The ratio is:
where 

    B₁-b₁
t= -------
     S_b1

B₁= hypothesis value for b₁, typically = 0

b₁= calculated value for the regression coefficient

S_b1= the error associated with determining the value for b

Thus, a large value for t suggests that there is little error in calculating b, so one can safely assume that x and y are related.

While air conditioning may not represent the next step in Ben N. Jayle's area, at least the statistical analysis suggests that high temperatures are not good for locks. Ben loves to be right.