A Simple Proof of The

We give elementary derivations of some classical summation formulae for bilateral (basic) hypergeometric series. In particular, we apply Gauß’ 2F1 summation and elementary series manipulations to give a simple proof of Dougall’s 2H2 summation. Similarly, we apply Rogers’ nonterminating 6φ5 summation and elementary series manipulations to give a simple proof of Bailey’s very-well-poised 6ψ6 summation. Our method of proof extends M. Jackson’s first elementary proof of Ramanujan’s 1ψ1 summation.