Stable matching is a concept in mathematics and economics that seeks to pair individuals from two distinct groups in a way that no pair would prefer to be matched with each other over their current partners. This idea is often illustrated through the Gale-Shapley algorithm, which was developed to solve the problem of matching students to schools or doctors to hospitals. In a stable matching scenario, each participant ranks their preferences, and the algorithm works to create pairs that satisfy these preferences while ensuring stability. A stable match prevents situations where two individuals would rather be with each other than their assigned partners, thus avoiding potential conflicts or dissatisfaction.