The fundamental theorem of algebra tells us that if we have a non-constant polynomial with integer coefficients then that polynomial will have a root in the complex numbers. That is, for any non-constant polynomial "P" with integer coefficients there will be a complex number α such that "P"(α) = 0. Transcendence theory is concerned with the converse question: given a complex number α, is there a polynomial "P" with integer coefficients such that "P"(α) = 0? If no such polynomial exists then the number is called transcendental.