Determine the value that should replace the question mark in the following number sequence:

12, 48, 24, 96, ?, 192

Correct Answer: The correct option is 48.

To find the missing number in the sequence, let us analyze the pattern or rule that connects consecutive terms in the series:
12, 48, 24, 96, ?, 192

Let us look at the operations between consecutive numbers step-by-step:

Step 1: Transition from 1st number (12) to 2nd number (48):
$12\times 4=48$

Step 2: Transition from 2nd number (48) to 3rd number (24):
$48÷2=24$

Step 3: Transition from 3rd number (24) to 4th number (96):
$24\times 4=96$

From the steps above, we observe an alternating pattern of operations:
First multiply by 4 ($\times 4$), then divide by 2 ($÷2$).

Step 4: Apply the next operation ($÷2$) to the 4th number (96) to find the missing number (?):
$96÷2=48$

Step 5: Verify the pattern with the final number (192) by multiplying the result by 4 ($\times 4$):
$48\times 4=192$

Since this matches the last term in the sequence, the value that replaces the question mark is indeed 48.