A megabyte is equivalent to how many kilobytes?

A megabyte is equivalent to 1024 kilobytes based on the binary measurement system commonly used in computing. In this context, storage capacities and memory are often calculated in powers of two, so one megabyte (MB) is defined as 2^10 bytes, which calculates to 1024 kilobytes (KB). This standardization helps in creating consistency in data measurement across various computing devices and applications.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for IT professionals, as it aids in accurately assessing storage and memory requirements. Other options reflect incorrect conversions that stem from either misunderstanding the binary nature of data measurement or using decimal approximations, which are less common in traditional computing contexts.