Operating Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	$ 18,336,894	$ 17,151,941	$ 16,518,827
Total segment income	721,062	736,179	715,194
Distressed customer charges		(16,014)
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges	(68,383)	(81,409)	(76,230)
Amortization of intangibles	(16,154)	(16,825)	(22,051)
Restructuring and related charges	(89,453)		(628)
Impairment of notes receivable and related charges	(25,597)
Acquisition costs and purchase accounting adjustments	(10,037)
Settlement of receivables and related charges			(13,607)
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries			(23,944)
Other expense	(6,213)	(8,943)	(2,986)
Interest income	1,901	2,041	3,132
Interest expense	(121,062)	(106,129)	(97,693)
Income before income tax	386,064	508,900	481,187
Total assets	9,153,781	7,803,141
DMS
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	8,182,104	7,476,730	6,018,332
Total segment income	440,743	455,596	389,188
Total assets	4,131,973	3,002,982
E&I
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	5,528,406	5,080,417	5,180,011
Total segment income	147,001	105,583	199,731
Total assets	1,110,458	1,157,464
HVS
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	4,626,384	4,594,794	5,320,484
Total segment income	133,318	175,000	126,275
Total assets	1,031,911	970,819
Other non-allocated assets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 2,879,439	$ 2,671,876