What is the probability that Elvis Presley was an identical twin?

Elvis had a twin brother (who died at birth).

Historically, approximately 1/125 of all births were fraternal twins and 1/300 were identical twins. The probability that Elvis was an identical twin is approximately . . .

5/11, or 45%.

3 thoughts on “What is the probability that Elvis Presley was an identical twin?

  1. Here's how I think of it:

    In 3000 births, we would expect 3000/300 = 10 sets of identical twins. Roughly half of those we would expect to be boys. That's 5 sets of boy-boy identical twins.

    In 3000 births, we would expect 3000/125 = 24 sets of fraternal twins. One fourth would be boy-boy, one-fourth would be girl-girl, one fourth would be boy-girl, and one fourth girl-boy. Therefore six sets would be boy-boy.

    So, out of 3000 births, five out of eleven sets of boy-boy twins would be identical. Therefore the chances that Elvis was an identical twin is about 5/11.

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