NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
6.     NET INCOME PER SHARE

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net income per share computations for the periods presented below.
 
Years Ended October 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
$
684

 
$
462

 
$
438

Loss from discontinued operations
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(37
)
Net income
684

 
462

 
401

Denominators:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares
322

 
326

 
333

Potential common shares — stock options and other employee stock plans
4

 
3

 
2

Diluted weighted average shares
326

 
329

 
335


The dilutive effect of share-based awards is reflected in diluted net income per share by application of the treasury stock method, which includes consideration of unamortized share-based compensation expense and the dilutive effect of in-the-money options and non-vested restricted stock units. Under the treasury stock method, the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options and unamortized share-based compensation expense collectively are assumed proceeds to be used to repurchase hypothetical shares. An increase in the fair market value of the company's common stock can result in a greater dilutive effect from potentially dilutive awards. We issued a total of 3 million share-based awards in each year of 2017, 2016 and 2015.

We exclude stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of our common stock from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive. For 2017, 2016 and 2015, options to purchase zero, 842,200 and 1.2 million shares respectively were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. In addition, we also exclude from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, stock options, ESPP, LTPP and restricted stock awards whose combined exercise price and unamortized fair value collectively were greater than the average market price of our common stock because their effect would also be anti-dilutive.  For the year ended 2017, 2016 and 2015, options to purchase 200 shares, 229,600 shares and 368,900 shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.