Operating Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	$ 4,250,918	$ 4,227,688	$ 12,813,861	$ 12,238,532
Total segment income	190,329	177,773	561,068	528,028
Distressed customer charge	10,149		10,149
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges	20,123	20,053	59,857	59,854
Amortization of intangibles	3,454	5,187	13,399	16,821
Restructuring and impairment charges				628
Settlement of receivables and related charges				13,607
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries				23,944
Other expense	1,899	1,771	6,503	2,418
Interest income	(733)	(897)	(1,579)	(2,486)
Interest expense	26,462	25,149	78,303	73,088
Income before income tax	128,975	126,510	394,436	340,154
Total assets	7,372,838		7,372,838		7,057,940
DMS
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	1,871,508	1,532,902	5,546,347	4,328,907
Total segment income	122,334	94,338	353,612	275,522
Total assets	2,889,723		2,889,723		2,417,256
E&I
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	1,323,816	1,382,633	3,747,482	3,783,550
Total segment income	29,306	54,052	73,173	163,410
Total assets	1,179,049		1,179,049		1,194,774
HVS
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	1,055,594	1,312,153	3,520,032	4,126,075
Total segment income	38,689	29,383	134,283	89,096
Total assets	1,051,434		1,051,434		1,232,378
Other non-allocated assets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 2,252,632		$ 2,252,632		$ 2,213,532