Consider $x^2 + y^2 = r^2$. Then take the square of this to give $(x^2 + y^2)^2 = r^4$. Clearly, from this $r^4 \neq x^4 + y^4$.
But consider: let $x=a^2, y = b^2 $and$\,\,r = c^2$. Sub this into the first eqn to get $(a^2)^2 + (b^2)^2 = (c^2)^2$. $x = a^2 => a = |x|,$ and similarly for $b.$
Now put this in to give $|x|^4 + |y|^4 = r^4 => (-x)^4 + (-y)^4 = r^4 $ or $ (x)^4 + (y)^4 = r^4,$ both of which give $ x^4 + y^4 = r^4$ Where is the flaw in this argument?
Many thanks.