Which of the following factors most affects the accuracy of a frequency counter?

A frequency counter works by counting the number of input signal cycles that occur over a precisely defined time interval, known as the gate time. This gate time is generated by the instrument's internal oscillator or time base. If the time base is inaccurate or drifts due to temperature changes or aging, the gate time will be either too long or too short, directly causing an inaccurate frequency reading. Distractors like the input attenuator or decade dividers do not cause frequency calculation errors. The attenuator only changes signal amplitude, and digital logic dividers are mathematically exact by nature.