Non-trivial intersecting families (Q1069937)

A new, simple proof is given for the Hilton-Milner theorem [\textit{A. J. W. Hilton} and \textit{E. C. Milner}, Some intersection theorems for systems of finite sets, Q. J. Math., Oxf. II. Ser. 18, 369-384 (1967; Zbl 0168.262)] stating that if F is a family of k-subsets of an n-set, \(n>2k\), no two members are disjoint but \(\cap F=\emptyset\), then \[ F\leq \left( \begin{matrix} n-1\\ k-1\end{matrix} \right)-\left( \begin{matrix} n-k-1\\ k-1\end{matrix} \right)+1. \] The extreme systems are also described.