Find the missing number?

12
5
8
1

The answer is 5.

The missing number is the sum of the first two numbers in the sequence, minus the third number. In this case, the first two numbers are 1 and 2, and the third number is 3. Therefore, the missing number is $1 + 2 – 3 = 5$.

Option A is incorrect because 12 is not the sum of the first two numbers in the sequence.

Option B is incorrect because 5 is the sum of the first two numbers in the sequence.

Option C is incorrect because 8 is not the sum of the first two numbers in the sequence.

Option D is incorrect because 1 is not the sum of the first two numbers in the sequence.