Puzzle Solution

Herein lies the explanation for the success of the Mathematical Magic Trick.
For each step of the directions, the possible results are shown within brackets.

1) Pick a number from 1 to 10.  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

2) If greater than 5, subtract 5.  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

3) Then multiply by 3.  [3, 6, 9, 12, 15; all multiples of 3]

4) Now square the number.  [9, 36, 81, 144, 225; all multiples of 9]

5) Then add the digits together....  [9; for any multiple of 9, the sum is 9]

6) Now subtract 4.  [5]

7) Then multiply by 2.  [10]

8) Now subtract 6.  [4]

9) Then map the number to the corresponding letter....  [D]

10) Pick a country beginning with that letter.  [most likely Denmark, Dominican Republic]

11) Take the second letter in the country name and think of a mammal....  [elephant, elk]

12) Think of the color of that mammal.  [gray, brown]

    There's a very good chance you have a grey elephant from Denmark!