Final answer:
The absolute value of a number is always a positive number or zero, and it does not always equal the number itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
I disagree with Ricardo's claim. The absolute value of a number is always a positive number or zero. The absolute value of a positive number is equal to the number itself, but the absolute value of a negative number is equal to the negation of the number. For example, the absolute value of 5 is 5, while the absolute value of -5 is also 5. So, the absolute value does not always equal the number itself.