Concentration of Risk and Segment Data (Segment Income) (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015
Reconciling items:
Amortization of intangibles	$ 8,599	$ 5,783	$ 16,439	$ 11,373
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges	20,268	14,968	45,060	32,982
Restructuring and related charges	2,535	20,358	3,888	32,616
Other expense	2,167	1,665	3,933	3,359
Interest income	(2,287)	(1,916)	(4,351)	(3,617)
Interest expense	34,262	32,048	67,297	63,888
Income from continuing operations before tax	120,787	93,054	302,554	205,976
Continuing Operations [Member]
Reconciling items:
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges				33,011
EMS [Member]
Reconciling items:
Restructuring and related charges	1,757	20,102	2,993	31,850
Income from continuing operations before tax	84,692	54,733	167,957	117,315
DMS [Member]
Reconciling items:
Restructuring and related charges	778	475	1,014	424
Income from continuing operations before tax	101,639	111,227	266,863	229,291
Operating Segments [Member]
Reconciling items:
Income from continuing operations before tax	$ 186,331	$ 165,960	$ 434,820	$ 346,606