Two math students, Al and Cal, each picked a number and then performed five arithmetic operations.

Al took his number and performed the following operations:

(i) subtracted 3
(ii) then multiplied by 4
(iii) then added 5
(iv) then took the square root
(v) then divided by 3

Cal did just the opposite of his math buddy. He took his number and did the following:

(i) added 3
(ii) then divided by 4
(iii) then subtracted 5
(iv) then squared the result
(v) then multiplied by 3

After performing their arithmetic, BOTH Al and Cal ended up with the same answer of 3 . Also, there were no negative results at any step along the way.

Who picked the larger number, Al or Cal ?