Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details 3) - Valuation allowance for deferred taxes - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period		$ 344,828	$ 304,820	$ 261,285
Additions charged to costs and expenses	[1]	65,300	23,891	79,933
Additions (reductions) charged to other accounts	[2]	(97,203)	28,238	(29,069)
Reductions charged to costs and expenses	[3]	(27,366)	(12,121)	(7,329)
Balance at end of period		$ 285,559	$ 344,828	$ 304,820

[1] ⁽¹⁾ During the fiscal years ended August 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , the additions charged to costs and expenses primarily relate to the increase of deferred tax assets for sites with existing valuation allowances.

[2] During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 , the reductions charged to other accounts primarily relate to the decrease of net operating loss carry forwards due to non-U.S. unrecognized tax benefits and a non-U.S. tax audit. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 , the additions charged to other accounts primarily related to the recognition of excess tax benefits due to the early adoption of the new accounting guidance for share-based payment transactions .

[3] ⁽³⁾ During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 , the reductions charged to costs and expenses primarily relate to the release of certain non-U.S. valuation allowances .