Reconciliations of Income Tax Expense at U.S. Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate Compared to Actual Income Tax Expense (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax at U.S. federal statutory income tax rate (35%)	$ 25,243	$ 114,490	$ 152,792
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	(3,740)	(6,285)	(4,013)
Impact of foreign tax rates	(19,621)	(130,732)	(105,746)
Permanent impact of non-deductible cost	10,995	12,815	1,589
Income tax credits	(5,632)	(7,170)	(11,258)
Changes in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities	(23,432)	7,416	(9,048)
Valuation allowance	47,697	(45,502)	53,490
Non-deductible equity compensation	31,236	21,477	6,655
Impact of intercompany charges	9,376	30,360	1,742
Other, net	1,589	10,762	16,663
Total income tax expense	$ 73,711	$ 7,631	$ 102,866