Why does Yahoo Answers penalize you for asking a question? They subtract 5 points for each question you ask.?

Actually, you get three points back for selecting the best answer so it really only costs two points. So for every question you ask, you'll have to answer one. More people answering means more answers to the questions that you do ask. Not a bad system. Plus, it discourages some people from asking questions like the chicken or the egg over and over again just for points. :)

And u just lose 5 points asking why and i gain 2 saying this 2 u

It's meant to make people think "Is this question really worth asking?". The first question I ever asked cost me 10 points, so I really don't think loosing 5 points is that much of a deal. If you don't like it, answer a couple of questions, rate some best answers, choose best answers to regain the 5 points.

It encourages people to answer other peoples questions and not to flood the site with too many questions like "Why should I eat food?", etc. If you gained 5 pts for questions then people going for points would drown yahoo answers in questions and not nearly as many people would answer them all.

cause people are taking the time to answer questions. They want to make sure that they aren't wasting answer's time on something you don't care about. 5 pts is hardly anything, so it should be worth it if you do have a question you need help with. Something I don't get is why do people waste points on a question they can easily google?

I TOTALLY agree. Can you imagine if no one asked any questions. This thing would not exist ! If everyone chose not to ask any question in fear of the negative 5 points, then what !

I'm with you buddy !

I think that, theoretically, it is to get people to think it through before asking, and to cut down on the number of stupid, profane, and obscene questions.

You get 3 points back for selecting a best answer.

congratulations! you just lost five points. and i gained two! haha.

it encourages you to answer more than you ask, and it makes asking questions feel like a hard earned privilege.

I think so too! I haven't asked any questions because I love my points too much. No...you can't have 'em...they are mine!!!

And I just found that out today.. :3