Note 3. Fair Value Measures (Detail) - Assets and Liabilities Measured At Fair Value (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Corporate money market funds	$ 160,169	[1]	$ 161,168	[1]
Derivative instruments (3)			897	[2]
Certificates of deposit (2)	13,919	[3]
Total assets measured at fair value	174,088		162,065
Derivative instruments (3)	2,374	[2]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	2,374
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Corporate money market funds	160,169	[1]	161,168	[1]
Derivative instruments (3)				[2]
Certificates of deposit (2)		[3]
Total assets measured at fair value	160,169		161,168
Derivative instruments (3)		[2]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Corporate money market funds		[1]		[1]
Derivative instruments (3)			897	[2]
Certificates of deposit (2)	13,919	[3]
Total assets measured at fair value	13,919		897
Derivative instruments (3)	2,374	[2]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	2,374
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Corporate money market funds		[1]		[1]
Derivative instruments (3)				[2]
Certificates of deposit (2)		[3]
Derivative instruments (3)		[2]

[1] The Company's corporate money market funds are traded in an active market and the net asset value of each fund on the last day of the quarter is used to determine its fair value. As such, the Company's corporate money market funds are classified as Level 1 and included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet.

[2] The Company utilizes the income approach to measure fair value for its derivative instruments (foreign exchange forward contracts). The income approach uses pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as spot, forward and interest rates, as well as credit default swap spreads and therefore are classified as Level 2.

[3] The Company's certificates of deposit held for investment are not debt securities and are classified as Level 2. These certificates of deposit have original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are classified as investments (short-term) on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.