CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balance at Aug. 31, 2009	$ 1,442,409	$ 217	$ 1,455,214	$ (13,700)	$ 196,972	$ (203,541)	$ 7,247
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2009		208,022,841
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options (in shares)		114,135
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options	1,546	1	1,545
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan (in shares)		1,127,017
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan	9,198	1	9,197
Vesting of restricted stock awards (in shares)		1,584,964
Vesting of restricted stock awards	1	1
Purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans (in shares)		(351,968)
Purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans	(5,505)					(5,505)
Recognition of stock-based compensation	104,783		104,783
Excess tax benefit of stock awards	28		28
Declared dividends	(61,097)		(29,260)	(31,837)
Comprehensive income	95,856			168,840	(74,910)		1,926
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interests	5,386						5,386
Foreign currency adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests	167						167
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2010	1,592,772	220	1,541,507	123,303	122,062	(209,046)	14,726
Ending Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2010		210,496,989
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options (in shares)		1,425,210
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options	20,523	1	20,522
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan (in shares)		824,913
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan	11,121	2	11,119
Vesting of restricted stock awards (in shares)		2,870,974
Vesting of restricted stock awards		2	(2)
Purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans (in shares)		(681,446)
Purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans	(9,763)					(9,763)
Treasury shares purchased (In share)		(11,520,137)
Treasury shares purchased	(200,226)					(200,226)
Recognition of stock-based compensation	76,205		76,205
Excess tax benefit of stock awards	80		80
Declared dividends	(62,573)			(62,573)
Comprehensive income	455,602			381,063	72,644		1,895
Foreign currency adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests	82						82
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2011	1,883,823	225	1,649,431	441,793	194,706	(419,035)	16,703
Ending Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2011	203,416,503	203,416,503
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options (in shares)		959,796
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options	13,247	1	13,246
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan (in shares)	7,371,230	754,598
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan	12,754	1	12,753
Vesting of restricted stock awards (in shares)		5,700,819
Vesting of restricted stock awards		5	(5)
Purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans (in shares)		(1,590,721)
Purchases of treasury stock under employee stock plans	(31,205)					(31,205)
Treasury shares purchased (In share)		(3,212,418)
Treasury shares purchased	(70,991)					(70,991)
Recognition of stock-based compensation	81,255		81,255
Excess tax benefit of stock awards	825		825
Declared dividends	(69,213)			(69,213)
Comprehensive income	307,935			394,687	(88,154)		1,402
Declared dividends to noncontrolling interests	(333)			(333)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(20,501)		(4,658)		(277)		(15,566)
Capital contribution of noncontrolling interests	300						300
Foreign currency adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests	(561)						(561)
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2012	$ 2,107,335	$ 232	$ 1,752,847	$ 766,934	$ 106,275	$ (521,231)	$ 2,278
Ending Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2012	206,028,577	206,028,577