Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 684	$ 713
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation (including amortization of technology projects)	91	95
Amortization of intangibles	53	45
Amortization of prepublication costs	141	165
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	16	5
Deferred income taxes	6	(5)
Stock-based compensation	73	65
Other	59	13
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(265)	(147)
Inventories	7	(12)
Prepaid and other current assets	(29)	(3)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(63)	(174)
Unearned revenue	50	24
Other current liabilities	(44)	(51)
Net change in prepaid/accrued income taxes	128	288
Net change in other assets and liabilities	(60)	17
Cash provided by operating activities	847	1,038
Investing Activities:
Investment in prepublication costs	(119)	(105)
Capital expenditures	(79)	(70)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(162)	(199)
Proceeds from dispositions of property and equipment	1	21
Changes in short-term investments	26	(13)
Cash used for investing activities	(333)	(366)
Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to shareholders	(216)	(225)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(13)	(11)
Repurchase of treasury shares	(269)	(636)
Exercise of stock options	253	115
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	18	3
Cash used for financing activities	(227)	(754)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	12	(6)
Net change in cash and equivalents	299	(88)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	944	1,526
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 1,243	$ 1,438