Earnings before Income Taxes, Including both Continuing and Discontinued Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Domestic	$ (19,182)	$ 14,593	$ 84,854
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Foreign	(111,162)	10,798	89,172
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	$ (130,344)	$ 25,391	$ 174,026

The portion of earnings or loss from continuing operations before income taxes that is attributable to domestic operations.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

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- Definition

The portion of earnings or loss from continuing operations before income taxes that is attributable to foreign operations, which is defined as Income or Loss generated from operations located outside the entity's country of domicile.

+ References

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- Definition

Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

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No definition available.

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