A candle is lit and burns at a constant rate of 1.6 inches per hour. 1.5 hours after the candle was lit the candle is 13.6 inches long. How long was the candle before it was lit? 11.2 inches 16 inches 15.1 inches 15.2 inches 2.4 inches

Step 1 ：The candle burns at a constant rate of 1.6 inches per hour. After 1.5 hours, the candle has burned \(1.5 \times 1.6 = 2.4\) inches.

Step 2 ：The length of the candle after 1.5 hours is 13.6 inches.

Step 3 ：Therefore, the length of the candle before it was lit is \(13.6\) inches + \(2.4\) inches = \(16\) inches.

Step 4 ：Final Answer: The length of the candle before it was lit is \(\boxed{16}\) inches.