Suppose that the number $a$ satisfies the equation $4 = a + a^{ - 1}$. What is the value of $a^{4} + a^{ - 4}$?
$\textbf{(A)}\ 164 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 172 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 192 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 194 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 212$
Note that for all real numbers $k,$ we have $a^{2k} + a^{-2k} + 2 = (a^{k} + a^{-k})^2,$ from which \[a^{2k} + a^{-2k} = (a^{k} + a^{-k})^2-2.\] We apply this result twice to get the answer:
\begin{align*} a^4 + a^{-4} &= (a^2 + a^{-2})^2 - 2 \\ &= [(a + a^{-1})^2 - 2]^2 - 2 \\ &= \boxed{\textbf{(D)}\ 194}. \end{align*}
~Azjps (Fundamental Logic)
~MRENTHUSIASM (Reconstruction)