Note 4. Fair Value Measures (Detail) - Assets and Liabilities Measured At Fair Value (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012		Aug. 31, 2012
Corporate money market funds (1)	$ 170,222	[1]	$ 160,169	[1]
Certificates of deposit (2)	14,527	[2]	13,919	[2]
Total assets measured at fair value	184,749		174,088
Derivative instruments (3)	343	[3]	2,374	[3]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	343		2,374
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Corporate money market funds (1)	170,222	[1]	160,169	[1]
Certificates of deposit (2)	0	[2]	0	[2]
Total assets measured at fair value	170,222		160,169
Derivative instruments (3)	0	[3]	0	[3]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Corporate money market funds (1)	0	[1]	0	[1]
Certificates of deposit (2)	14,527	[2]	13,919	[2]
Total assets measured at fair value	14,527		13,919
Derivative instruments (3)	343	[3]	2,374	[3]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	343		2,374
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Corporate money market funds (1)	0	[1]	0	[1]
Certificates of deposit (2)	0	[2]	0	[2]
Total assets measured at fair value	0		0
Derivative instruments (3)	0	[3]	0	[3]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$ 0		$ 0

[1] The Company's corporate money market funds are traded in an active market and the net asset value of each fund on the last day of the quarter is used to determine its fair value. As such, the Company's corporate money market funds are classified as Level 1 and included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet.

[2] The Company's certificates of deposit held for investment are not debt securities and are classified as Level 2. These certificates of deposit have original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are classified as investments (short-term) on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

[3] The Company utilizes the income approach to measure fair value for its derivative instruments (foreign exchange forward contracts). The income approach uses pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as spot, forward and interest rates, as well as credit default swap spreads and therefore are classified as Level 2.