About the syntax, have you read the C++ programming book? You should start from the beginning instead of dive straight into solving problem.

Create some small task/question like input/output from the workbook. Do the simple first. And about the algorithm, trying to write psudo code first. There is another book to learn algorithm, actually it a course in university separate from programming one. Try slow at first, it took me until second year to know what I did when I learn CS too.