Little 3D question (i'm a 3d n00b)

i’m reading this: http://www.kirupa.com/developer/actionscript/trig_multiple_axis.htm

and i don’t realy get to anderstand this:

[font=Courier New]x = [color=#000080]Math[/color].[color=#000080]cos/color*x - [color=#000080]Math[/color].[color=#000080]sin/color*y;
y = [color=#000080]Math[/color].[color=#000080]sin/color*x + [color=#000080]Math[/color].[color=#000080]cos/color*y;[/font]
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[font=Courier New]i mean, WHY is a minus (-) in the x equation and a plus (+) in the other?? whyyyyyyyyy???[/font]
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[font=Courier New]i’m trying to figth with my brain to get this, but i need some help.[/font]
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[font=Courier New]Thanks.[/font]