Note on the union-closed sets conjecture (Q2401438)

Summary: The union-closed sets conjecture states that if a finite family of sets \(\mathcal{A} \neq \{\emptyset\}\) is union-closed, then there is an element which belongs to at least half the sets in \(\mathcal{A}\). \textit{D. Reimer} [Comb. Probab. Comput. 12, No. 1, 89--93 (2003; Zbl 1013.05083)] showed that the average set size of a union-closed family, \(\mathcal{A}\), is at least \(\frac{1}{2} \log_2 |\mathcal{A}|\). In order to do so, he showed that all union-closed families satisfy a particular condition, which in turn implies the preceding bound. Here, answering a question raised in the context of T. Gowers' polymath project on the union-closed sets conjecture, we show that Reimer's condition alone is not enough to imply that there is an element in at least half the sets.