Spreadsheets provide a rich setting for first-year algebra students to solve problems. Individual spreadsheet cells play the role of variables, and creating algebraic expressions for a spreadsheet to perform a task allows students to achieve a glimpse of how mathematics is used to program a computer and solve problems. Classic optimization problems that are usually reserved for calculus can be recast as a spreadsheet investigation with younger students. The result is a highly visual approach to the topic of optimization, where emphasis is placed on analyzing and interpreting results. Studying how to make a situation optimal, such as maximizing profit or minimizing travel time, offers algebra students purposeful questions that have real-world relevance. In this article the author discusses four problems to show how accessible classic optimization problems can be for younger students.