Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$ 1,243,000,000	$ 944,000,000	$ 1,438,000,000
Short-term investments	2,000,000	29,000,000	36,000,000
Accounts receivable, net	1,338,000,000	1,045,000,000	1,133,000,000
Inventories	258,000,000	263,000,000	285,000,000
Deferred income taxes	260,000,000	260,000,000	282,000,000
Prepaid and other current assets	158,000,000	138,000,000	216,000,000
Total current assets	3,259,000,000	2,679,000,000	3,390,000,000
Prepublication costs, net	303,000,000	325,000,000	305,000,000
Property and equipment, net	482,000,000	500,000,000	488,000,000
Goodwill	2,357,000,000	2,048,000,000	2,038,000,000
Other intangible assets, net	1,247,000,000	608,000,000	621,000,000
Other non-current assets	295,000,000	267,000,000	312,000,000
Total assets	7,943,000,000	6,427,000,000	7,154,000,000
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	409,000,000	347,000,000	333,000,000
Accrued royalties	98,000,000	119,000,000	101,000,000
Accrued compensation and contributions to retirement plans	470,000,000	510,000,000	429,000,000
Short-term debt	400,000,000	400,000,000	0
Income taxes currently payable	135,000,000	29,000,000	250,000,000
Unearned revenue	1,377,000,000	1,303,000,000	1,245,000,000
Other current liabilities	469,000,000	422,000,000	402,000,000
Total current liabilities	3,358,000,000	3,130,000,000	2,760,000,000
Long-term debt	799,000,000	798,000,000	1,198,000,000
Pension and other postretirement benefits	489,000,000	513,000,000	470,000,000
Other non-current liabilities	625,000,000	402,000,000	438,000,000
Total liabilities	5,271,000,000	4,843,000,000	4,866,000,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (Note 10)	810,000,000	0	0
Equity:
Common stock	412,000,000	412,000,000	412,000,000
Additional paid-in capital	449,000,000	94,000,000	148,000,000
Retained income	7,518,000,000	7,667,000,000	7,525,000,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(392,000,000)	(425,000,000)	(373,000,000)
Less: common stock in treasury	(6,201,000,000)	(6,240,000,000)	(5,504,000,000)
Total equity - controlling interests	1,786,000,000	1,508,000,000	2,208,000,000
Total equity - noncontrolling interests	76,000,000	76,000,000	80,000,000
Total equity	1,862,000,000	1,584,000,000	2,288,000,000
Total liabilities and equity	$ 7,943,000,000	$ 6,427,000,000	$ 7,154,000,000