Solution needed for mathematical problem

I have a risk asssessment sheet that I am working on to try and convert it so that instead of inputting data manually there are less data inputs and more formulas do the calculating.
Problem 1:
I have 5 columns of number data. The first column has a range of 1 low risk - 5 high risk (Likelihood)

RISK ASSESSMENT
L Severity (S) R
P C E I (L x S)
2 2 1 1 1 10

The next four coulmns (severity) also have a range of 1-5 also and represent different parts of the business that is at risk, P= People, C=Cost, E=Environment, I= Image

The current sheet does not hold true to the matrix offered e.g., it a a 5 x 5 matrix so the highest score you can get is 25 and the various combinations in between.

The numbers are entered manually at present and the user has told me that they add up the severity totals and multiply it by the likelihood (example above). I pointed out to him that it only works if the figures are low and fall between 2-25, after that the calculation falls down. He then told me that if the figures total up too much to use just the highest value in the severity column and multiply it by the likelihood. As you can see it is a bit of a mess.
So, if possible I would like to have a formula that picks the highest severity number and multiply's by the likelihood number.

Any ideas or assistance would be gratefully received.

William

Can you post an example sheet? It would be quicker than reconstructing what you have described...

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