True or False: Only like terms can be combined in algebraic expressions.

The statement is true because in algebra, like terms are defined as terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. This means that only terms which share identical variables and exponents can be combined through addition or subtraction. For example, in the expression 3x + 5x, both terms include the variable x raised to the first power, allowing them to be combined to create 8x.

On the other hand, terms that are considered unlike, such as 2x and 3y, cannot be combined because they involve different variables. Therefore, the foundational rule in algebra is that only like terms can be combined, affirming the accuracy of the statement.