Non-identical twins

Approximately one in every seventy births produces twins. As children they are usually raised together and share a very similar environment as they grow up. But one third of all twins born share much more than this – identical twins have exactly the same genes. Twins have always been interesting, but in recent decades they have become seriously hot property. Scientists would like to study twins. The reason for the interest is the chance to find out how our environment and our genes interact to influence our lives. Non-identical twins have genes which are as different as any normal brother or sister but their environment as they are growing up is very similar. They allow the effects of any genetic difference to be studied very accurately. Identical twins share the same genes and, more often than not, the same environment. Some identical twins, however, find themselves separated at a young age and brought up in different homes. They share all the same genes but experience a very different environment. If there are differences between them it is likely to be because of their different environments. The only twins who have played for Boston United are the Dagg brothers in the 1949/50 season. Harry Dagg went on to play for Lincoln City but his brother John never followed him to the Imps.

Here is a puzzle about twins.

The puzzle

One day Kerry celebrated her birthday. Two days later her older twin brother, Terry, celebrated his birthday. How come?

No time machines are required to come up with the solution! This puzzle won the Game Magazine competition for the best "How Come" puzzle in 1992.

Click here for the solution.


Back to Boston United Home Page. Back to the Mindbenders