Let the four numbers be x, a, b, and c, where x is the first number.
Average = \frac{x + a + b + c}{4} = 48 ⇒ x + a + b + c = 192.
Given, x = \frac{1}{3}(a + b + c).
Substitute in the sum:
\[x + a + b + c = 192\]
\[x + 3x = 192\] ⇒ \[4x = 192\] ⇒ \[x = 48\]
Hence, the first number is 48.