Very basic calculator issues - c++

Question

I'm a fairly new to c++. I'm trying to create a very basic calculator and the results I'm getting are completely wrong. I've come to a standstill after 2 hours of trying everything in my knowledge. What am I doing wrong?
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
int a = 0.0;
int b = 0.0;
float sum = 'a' + 'b';
float diff = 'a' - 'b';
float prod = 'a' * 'b';
float quot = 'a' / 'b';
float rem = 'a' % 'b';
//Input
cout << "Enter a number: " << endl;
cin >> a;
cout << "Enter another number: " << endl;
cin >> b;
cout << a << " + " << b << " = " << sum <<endl;
cout << a << " - " << b << " = " << diff <<endl;
cout << a << " / " << b << " = " << quot <<endl;
cout << a << " * " << b << " = " << prod <<endl;
cout << a << " % " << b << " = " << rem <<endl;
return 0;
}

Answer 1

you are calculating with character literals. 'a' is not the same as a here.
remove the quotes when calculating, but add them when you print the actual literal "a"
float sum = 'a' + 'b';
You are calculating the ASCII value of the character "a" (which is 65) with the ASCII value of "b" (which is 66)
It should be
float sum = a + b;
instead.
When you print the values, you did the reverse:
cout << a << " + " << b << " = " << sum <<endl;
You want it to be
cout << "a" << " + " << "b" << " = " << sum <<endl;
instead. You want to print characters for the equation and only a number for the result.
You also calculate the values of a and b before they have an actual value.
You should put the calculation after you enter them.

Answer 2

Fixed, by moving the calculations after the input; and by using variables, not literals.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
int a = 0.0;
int b = 0.0;
//Input
cout << "Enter a number: " << endl;
cin >> a;
cout << "Enter another number: " << endl;
cin >> b;
float sum = a + b;
float diff = a - b;
float prod = a * b;
float quot = a / b;
float rem = a % b;
cout << a << " + " << b << " = " << sum <<endl;
cout << a << " - " << b << " = " << diff <<endl;
cout << a << " / " << b << " = " << quot <<endl;
cout << a << " * " << b << " = " << prod <<endl;
cout << a << " % " << b << " = " << rem <<endl;
return 0;
}