Restructuring and Related Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2014 2014 Restructuring Plan	Aug. 31, 2014 2014 Restructuring Plan HVS	Aug. 31, 2014 2014 Restructuring Plan Employee Severance	Aug. 31, 2014 2014 Restructuring Plan Employee Severance Restructuring Charges Cash	Aug. 31, 2014 2014 Restructuring Plan Asset Write Off Cost	Aug. 31, 2014 2014 Restructuring Plan Lease Costs	Aug. 31, 2014 2014 Restructuring Plan Lease Costs Restructuring Charges Cash	Aug. 31, 2014 2014 Restructuring Plan Other Related Costs	Aug. 31, 2014 2014 Restructuring Plan Other Related Costs Restructuring Charges Cash	Aug. 31, 2014 2013 Restructuring Plan	Aug. 31, 2013 2013 Restructuring Plan	Aug. 31, 2015 2013 Restructuring Plan Scenario, Forecast	Aug. 31, 2015 2013 Restructuring Plan Restructuring Charges Cash Scenario, Forecast Minimum	Aug. 31, 2015 2013 Restructuring Plan Restructuring Charges Cash Scenario, Forecast Maximum	Aug. 31, 2014 2013 Restructuring Plan HVS	Aug. 31, 2013 2013 Restructuring Plan HVS	Aug. 31, 2014 2013 Restructuring Plan Employee Severance	Aug. 31, 2013 2013 Restructuring Plan Employee Severance	Aug. 31, 2014 2013 Restructuring Plan Employee Severance Restructuring Charges Cash	Aug. 31, 2013 2013 Restructuring Plan Employee Severance Restructuring Charges Cash	Aug. 31, 2014 2013 Restructuring Plan Asset Write Off Cost	Aug. 31, 2013 2013 Restructuring Plan Asset Write Off Cost	Aug. 31, 2014 2013 Restructuring Plan Lease Costs	Aug. 31, 2013 2013 Restructuring Plan Lease Costs	Aug. 31, 2014 2013 Restructuring Plan Lease Costs Restructuring Charges Cash	Aug. 31, 2013 2013 Restructuring Plan Lease Costs Restructuring Charges Cash	Aug. 31, 2014 2013 Restructuring Plan Other Related Costs	Aug. 31, 2014 2013 Restructuring Plan Other Related Costs Restructuring Charges Cash	Aug. 31, 2013 2013 Restructuring Plan Other Related Costs Restructuring Charges Cash	Aug. 31, 2014 2013 Restructuring Plan DMS	Aug. 31, 2013 2013 Restructuring Plan DMS	Aug. 31, 2014 2013 Restructuring Plan E&I	Aug. 31, 2013 2013 Restructuring Plan E&I	Aug. 31, 2014 2013 Restructuring Plan Other	Aug. 31, 2013 2013 Restructuring Plan Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related charges	$ 85,369,000	$ 80,513,000	$ 49,945,000	$ 49,900,000	$ 16,213,000	$ 16,200,000	$ 30,314,000	$ 1,738,000	$ 1,700,000	$ 1,680,000	$ 1,700,000	$ 35,424,000	$ 80,513,000				$ 1,543,000	$ 10,647,000	$ 25,026,000	$ 74,304,000	$ 25,000,000	$ 74,300,000	$ 8,622,000	$ 5,958,000	$ 499,000	$ 251,000	$ 500,000	$ 200,000	$ 1,277,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 0	$ 29,839,000	$ 13,053,000	$ (188,000)	$ 54,255,000	$ 4,230,000	$ 2,558,000
Total pre-tax restructuring and other related costs expected to be recognized														179,000,000	131,000,000	151,000,000
Restructuring related charges to date												$ 115,900,000					$ 6,800,000															$ 42,900,000		$ 54,000,000		$ 12,200,000