Concentration of Risk and Segment Data (Segment Income) (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Reconciling items:
Amortization of intangibles	$ (37,121)	$ (24,449)	$ (23,857)
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges	(58,997)	(62,560)	(10,624)
Restructuring and related charges	(11,369)	(33,066)	(85,369)
Distressed customer charges			(15,113)
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries			(7,962)
Acquisition costs and certain purchase accounting adjustments		5,480
Other expense	(8,380)	(5,627)	(7,637)
Interest income	9,128	9,953	3,741
Interest expense	(136,536)	(128,091)	(128,055)
Income from continuing operations before tax	387,045	431,646	72,123
DMS [Member]
Reconciling items:
Restructuring and related charges	(795)	(351)
Income from continuing operations before tax	256,588	372,912	103,188
EMS [Member]
Reconciling items:
Restructuring and related charges	(10,693)	(32,007)
Income from continuing operations before tax	373,732	297,097	242,181
Operating Segments [Member]
Reconciling items:
Income from continuing operations before tax	$ 630,320	670,009	345,369
Continuing Operations [Member]
Reconciling items:
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges		$ (62,563)	$ (8,994)