Summary of major accounting policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents

The following represents a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as of August 31, 2021 and 2020, (in millions):

	August 31, 2021		August 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents - continuing operations	$	1,193	$	469
Cash and cash equivalents - discontinued operations	—		47
Restricted cash - continuing operations (included in other current assets)	77		62
Restricted cash - discontinued operations	—		168
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	1,270	$	746

Schedule of property, plant and equipment

The following table summarizes the Company’s property, plant and equipment (in millions) and estimated useful lives (in years):

	Estimated useful life	2021		2020
Land and land improvements	20	$	2,798	$	3,157
Buildings and building improvements	3 to 50	7,569		7,795
Fixtures and equipment	3 to 20	10,314		9,904
Capitalized system development costs and software	3 to 10	3,624		3,061
Finance lease properties		1,016		1,011
		$	25,321	$	24,927
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		13,073		12,131
Balance at end of year		$	12,247	$	12,796