The sequences
and
of complex numbers are the canonical numerators and denominators of some continued fraction
if and only if
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for all
. If so, then
is uniquely determined by:
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i.e. 
Example. Find a continued fraction with approximants 1/2, 3/4, 7/8, 15/16 etc.

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for
,
.
So the sought continued fraction is 
references
Lorentzen, Waadeland – Continued fractions with applications