How is the mass of an isolated single star estimated using the mass-luminosity relation?
Answer
By taking the fourth root of its luminosity relative to the Sun: $M/\text{M}_\odot = (L/L_\odot)^{0.25}$
If the star's luminosity relative to the Sun is known, its mass in solar units can be calculated by taking the fourth root of that luminosity ratio, derived from the $L \propto M^4$ approximation.
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