Which best describes the change from the first term to the second term in the sequence 1, 2, 4?

The correct answer highlights that the second term in the sequence is indeed doubling the first term. To elucidate this, the first term is 1, and when we multiply it by 2, we receive 2, which is the second term. This reflects a clear multiplicative relationship where the second term is exactly twice the first term, aligning with the concept of doubling.

While adding 1 to the first term gives us 2 as well, the emphasis in the question is on understanding the relationship between terms in a sequence. The focus on multiplication and the specific action of doubling appropriately captures the process of transition from the first to the second term in the sequence. Hence, the phrasing of the correct answer is succinctly in line with the core mathematical operations involved.