Summary of major accounting policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2017

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment consists of (in millions):

	2017		2016
Land and land improvements	$	3,470	$	3,738
Buildings and building improvements	7,431		7,557
Fixtures and equipment	9,209		9,064
Capitalized system development costs and software	2,105		1,787
Capital lease properties	745		789
	22,960		22,935
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	9,318		8,600
Balance at end of year	$	13,642	$	14,335