Q:   Estimate the distance to KIC 8736245, using the formula

                (m - M)  =  5 log d  - 5


              (13.79 - 3.86)  =   5 log d - 5

                  5 log d     =   14.93

                        d     =   10^(14.93 / 5)

                        d     =   968  pc



   Q:   How does this compare to the distance measured by Gaia
               using parallax?  You can find the Gaia parallax
               at SIMBAD's entry for KIC 8736245


              SIMBAD's entry says that the parallax to this star is

                       parallax   =   1.0897 milli-arcsec

                                  =   0.0010879   arcsec

              The distance is therefore

                       distance   =   1 / parallax 

                                  =   1 / 0.0010879

                                  =   918  pc


              That's pretty close to our estimate of 968 pc.