counting in dreams...no practical thought?

I had a dream this morning (the 3rd i recalled), where I was at work, and was given some coins...I proceeded to try and count them, as you do.
it wasn't a LD...
now, working in a video store, I count money all the time; also being a Math/Finance student, i know i can count! I knew what the coins were supposed to add up to ($19.10), but i couldn't add them up when i tried!!

i tried putting them on the desk, counting one at a time, 2 at a time, but my brain just could not focus or grasp the prospect.
it led me to think...Ive never (that I recall) partaken in simple practical activities in dreaming (counting, reading, cooking and such) at least not successfully.

does anyone think that a dream state may involve primarily perception and sense of the world you are in, rather than letting you utilise your brain for such practical purposes.

ie, is it more for wandering around and experiencing things, rather than actually doing things, as it were.

this sounds a lot like the right versus left brain in dreaming from another topic.

Visual dreams are primarily right-brained, and the left-brain is barely involved. Since the left brain is responsible for telling time, reading and MATH, that would explain why you couldn't add up the numbers, or read in other dreams.

Whenever i "read" in my dreams, I'm usually looking at a book, and the ideas of the words or sentences enter my brain... i'm not actually reading words at all. It sounds the same way with you and math. You know how much money is there, but aren't sure how to get there without that left-brain.

i have been cooking food at a restaurant for nearly two years now, and can do is almost with my eyes closed. but, i had a dream about making food, and nothing went right. stuff would fall off of the grill, things would burn, and it didnt make sense...

i think what you're saying makes sense, every dream that i remember doing something that i have skill in real life, i fail at. even driving...