Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Total
Balance at Aug. 31, 2011	$ 225	$ 1,649,431	$ 441,793	$ 194,706	$ (419,035)	$ 16,703	$ 1,883,823
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2011	203,416,503						203,416,503
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options		8,186					8,186
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options, (in shares)	593,277						807,371
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan	1	6,216					6,217
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan, (in shares)	372,118
Vesting of restricted stock awards	5	(5)
Vesting of restricted stock awards, (in shares)	5,564,666
Purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans					(31,056)		(31,056)
Purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans, (in shares)	(1,584,241)
Treasury shares purchased					(39,964)		(39,964)
Treasury shares purchased, (in shares)	(1,758,291)
Recognition of stock-based compensation		39,420					39,420
Excess tax benefit of stock awards		738					738
Declared dividends			(34,702)				(34,702)
Comprehensive income			210,570	(25,697)		1,456	186,329
Foreign currency adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests						(197)	(197)
Balance at Feb. 29, 2012	$ 231	$ 1,703,986	$ 617,661	$ 169,009	$ (490,055)	$ 17,962	$ 2,018,794
Balance (in shares) at Feb. 29, 2012	206,604,032						206,604,032