A Stembridge-Stanton style elementary proof of the Habsieger-Kadell q- Morris identity (Q584267)

Let \((y)_ a\) denote \((1-y)(1-qy)...(1-q^{a-1}y)\). Then the q-Morris identity asserts that the constant term in \(\prod^{n}_{i=1} (x_ i)_ b (q/x_ i)_ c \prod_{1\leq i<j\leq n} (x_ i/x_ j)_ a (qx_ j/x_ i)_ a\) is equal to \(\prod^{n-1}_{j=0} \frac{(q)_{b+c+ja}(q)_{(j+1)a}} {(q)_{b+ja}(q)_{c+ja}(q)_ a}\). This was proved in the case \(q=1\) by Morris [Ph. D. Thesis, Univ. Wisconsin-Madison (1982)], and in general by \textit{L. Habsieger} [SIAM J. Math. Anal. 19, No.6, 1475-1489 (1988; Zbl 0664.33001)] and \textit{K. W. J. Kadell} [ibid. 19, No.6, 969-986 (1988; Zbl 0643.33004)] independently, using analytic methods. This paper presents an elementary proof, using ideas in a recent paper by \textit{J. R. Stembridge} [Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 102, No.4, 777-786 (1988; Zbl 0645.10017)].