Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Applied’s effective tax rates for the third quarters of fiscal 2016 and 2015 were 10.5 percent and 12.3 percent, respectively. Applied's effective tax rates for the first nine months of fiscal 2016 and 2015 were 12.7 percent and 13.3 percent, respectively. The effective tax rates for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2016 were lower than in the same periods in the prior year primarily due to changes in the geographical composition of income, partially offset by resolutions and changes related to income tax liabilities for prior years. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 included the effect of an adjustment primarily to correct an error in the recognition of cost of sales in the U.S. related to intercompany sales. While this error had no impact on Applied’s consolidated cost of sales, it resulted in overstating profitability in the U.S. and the provision for income taxes, income taxes payable and other tax balance sheet accounts in each year since fiscal 2010. The impact of the adjustment to the first nine months of fiscal 2015 was a decrease in provision for income taxes of $35 million which was determined to be immaterial on the originating periods and fiscal 2015. Accordingly, a restatement was not considered necessary. In addition, the effective tax rates for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 included the tax benefit from acquisition costs that became deductible as a result of the termination of the proposed business combination with TEL. The effective tax rates for the first nine months of fiscal 2016 and 2015 both included the tax benefit from the reinstatement of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit during these periods retroactive to its expiration in December of the prior years. During the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that existing liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced by up to $15 million as a result of the lapse of statutes of limitation.

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2016

Applied’s effective tax rates for the third quarters of fiscal 2016 and 2015 were 10.5 percent and 12.3 percent, respectively. Applied's effective tax rates for the first nine months of fiscal 2016 and 2015 were 12.7 percent and 13.3 percent, respectively. The effective tax rates for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2016 were lower than in the same periods in the prior year primarily due to changes in the geographical composition of income, partially offset by resolutions and changes related to income tax liabilities for prior years. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 included the effect of an adjustment primarily to correct an error in the recognition of cost of sales in the U.S. related to intercompany sales. While this error had no impact on Applied’s consolidated cost of sales, it resulted in overstating profitability in the U.S. and the provision for income taxes, income taxes payable and other tax balance sheet accounts in each year since fiscal 2010. The impact of the adjustment to the first nine months of fiscal 2015 was a decrease in provision for income taxes of $35 million which was determined to be immaterial on the originating periods and fiscal 2015. Accordingly, a restatement was not considered necessary. In addition, the effective tax rates for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 included the tax benefit from acquisition costs that became deductible as a result of the termination of the proposed business combination with TEL. The effective tax rates for the first nine months of fiscal 2016 and 2015 both included the tax benefit from the reinstatement of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit during these periods retroactive to its expiration in December of the prior years.

During the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that existing liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced by up to $15 million as a result of the lapse of statutes of limitation.