Concentration of Risk and Segment Data (Segment Income) (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2015	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2015
Reconciling items:
Amortization of intangibles	$ 9,711	$ 5,724	$ 26,150	$ 17,097
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges	13,445	20,094	58,505	53,101
Restructuring and related charges	4,460	(782)	8,349	31,833
Other expense	2,412	1,880	6,346	5,238
Interest income	(2,302)	(2,836)	(6,653)	(6,452)
Interest expense	35,212	31,997	102,509	95,884
Income (loss) from continuing operations before tax	24,273	104,381	326,826	310,358
Continuing Operations [Member]
Reconciling items:
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges				53,106
EMS [Member]
Reconciling items:
Restructuring and related charges	4,460	(1,107)	7,454	30,743
Income (loss) from continuing operations before tax	99,758	95,349	267,717	212,664
DMS [Member]
Reconciling items:
Restructuring and related charges			1,014	424
Income (loss) from continuing operations before tax	(12,547)	65,109	254,315	294,400
Operating Segments [Member]
Reconciling items:
Income (loss) from continuing operations before tax	$ 87,211	$ 160,458	$ 522,032	$ 507,064