nerdexam
(ISC)2

CISSP · Question #524

Which of the following can be used to calculate the loss event probability?

The correct answer is B. Number of outcomes divided by total number of possible outcomes. Loss event probability is calculated using the basic probability formula: the number of favorable (loss) outcomes divided by the total number of possible outcomes, yielding a value between 0 and 1.

Submitted by ravi_2018· Mar 5, 2026Security and Risk Management

Question

Which of the following can be used to calculate the loss event probability?

Options

  • ATotal number of possible outcomes divided by frequency of outcomes
  • BNumber of outcomes divided by total number of possible outcomes
  • CNumber of outcomes multiplied by total number of possible outcomes
  • DTotal number of possible outcomes multiplied by frequency of outcomes

How the community answered

(45 responses)
  • B
    93% (42)
  • C
    4% (2)
  • D
    2% (1)

Why each option

Loss event probability is calculated using the basic probability formula: the number of favorable (loss) outcomes divided by the total number of possible outcomes, yielding a value between 0 and 1.

ATotal number of possible outcomes divided by frequency of outcomes

Dividing total possible outcomes by frequency of outcomes inverts the probability formula and does not yield a valid probability ratio between 0 and 1.

BNumber of outcomes divided by total number of possible outcomesCorrect

Probability is defined as the number of specific outcomes (loss events) divided by the total number of possible outcomes. This formula produces a ratio between 0 and 1, representing the likelihood of a loss event occurring, which is the foundational formula used in risk quantification and probabilistic risk assessment.

CNumber of outcomes multiplied by total number of possible outcomes

Multiplying the number of outcomes by total possible outcomes produces an arbitrarily large number, which has no mathematical basis as a probability calculation.

DTotal number of possible outcomes multiplied by frequency of outcomes

Multiplying total possible outcomes by frequency of outcomes also yields an invalid large number and does not represent a probability, as probability requires division to produce a normalized ratio.

Concept tested: Calculating loss event probability in risk assessment

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security/compass/risk-insights-overview

Topics

#risk assessment#probability calculation#loss event probability

Community Discussion

No community discussion yet for this question.

Full CISSP Practice