Concentration of Risk and Segment Data (Segment Income) (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Reconciling items:
Amortization of intangibles	$ (24,449)	$ (23,857)	$ (10,954)
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges	(62,560)	(10,624)	(68,383)
Restructuring and related charges	(33,066)	(85,369)	(80,513)
Distressed customer charges		(15,113)
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries		(7,962)
Impairment of notes receivable and related charges			(25,597)
Acquisition costs and certain purchase accounting adjustments	5,480		(10,037)
Other expense	(5,627)	(7,637)	(6,095)
Interest income	9,953	3,741	1,813
Interest expense	(128,091)	(128,055)	(121,023)
Income from continuing operations before tax	431,646	72,123	327,114
DMS [Member]
Reconciling items:
Income from continuing operations before tax	372,912	103,188	338,051
EMS [Member]
Reconciling items:
Income from continuing operations before tax	297,097	242,181	304,043
Operating Segments [Member]
Reconciling items:
Income from continuing operations before tax	670,009	345,369	642,094
Continuing Operations [Member]
Reconciling items:
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges	$ (62,563)	$ (8,994)	$ (62,574)