Points $( \sqrt{\pi} , a)$ and $( \sqrt{\pi} , b)$ are distinct points on the graph of $y^2 + x^4 = 2x^2 y + 1$. What is $|a-b|$?
$\textbf{(A)}\ 1 \qquad\textbf{(B)} \ \frac{\pi}{2} \qquad\textbf{(C)} \ 2 \qquad\textbf{(D)} \ \sqrt{1+\pi} \qquad\textbf{(E)} \ 1 + \sqrt{\pi}$
Since points on the graph make the equation true, substitute $\sqrt{\pi}$ in to the equation and then solve to find $a$ and $b$.
$y^2 + \sqrt{\pi}^4 = 2\sqrt{\pi}^2 y + 1$
$y^2 + \pi^2 = 2\pi y + 1$
$y^2 - 2\pi y + \pi^2 = 1$
$(y-\pi)^2 = 1$
$y-\pi = \pm 1$
$y = \pi + 1$
$y = \pi - 1$
There are only two solutions to the equation $(y-\pi)^2 = 1$, so one of them is the value of $a$ and the other is $b$. The order does not matter because of the absolute value sign.
$| (\pi + 1) - (\pi - 1) | = 2$
The answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(C) }2}$