Operating Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	$ 15,762,146	$ 17,249,493	$ 16,140,705
Total segment income	345,369	642,094	653,427
Amortization of intangibles	(23,857)	(10,954)	(12,899)
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges	(8,994)	(62,574)	(74,944)
Restructuring and related charges	(85,369)	(80,513)
Distressed customer charges	(15,113)		(16,014)
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries	(7,962)
Impairment of notes receivable and related charges		(25,597)
Acquisition costs and certain purchase accounting adjustments		(10,037)
Other expense	(7,637)	(6,095)	(8,935)
Interest income	3,741	1,813	2,002
Interest expense	(128,055)	(121,023)	(106,088)
Income from continuing operations before tax	72,123	327,114	436,549
Total assets	8,479,746	9,153,781
DMS
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	6,935,896	7,088,026	6,458,952
Total segment income	175,843	377,004	384,020
Total assets	3,793,005	3,580,133
E&I
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	5,300,872	5,535,083	5,086,959
Total segment income	128,216	140,758	102,455
Total assets	996,136	1,118,347
HVS
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	3,525,378	4,626,384	4,594,794
Total segment income	41,310	124,332	166,952
Total assets	943,912	1,031,911
Other Non Allocated Assets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	2,727,024	2,879,439
Discontinued Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 19,669	$ 543,951