note 2 2013 earnings per share the weighted average number of shares outstanding used to compute earnings per common share were as follows ( in millions ) : .
what was the change in the weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted computations from 2017 to 2018
we compute basic and diluted earnings per common share by dividing net earnings by the respective weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the periods presented . our calculation of diluted earnings per common share also includes the dilutive effects for the assumed vesting of outstanding restricted stock units ( rsus ) , performance stock units ( psus ) and exercise of outstanding stock options based on the treasury stock method . there were no significant anti-dilutive equity awards for the years ended december 31 , 2018 , 2017 and 2016 . note 3 2013 acquisition and divestitures consolidation of awe management limited on august 24 , 2016 , we increased our ownership interest in the awe joint venture , which operates the united kingdom 2019s nuclear deterrent program , from 33% ( 33 % ) to 51% ( 51 % ) . consequently , we began consolidating awe and our operating results include 100% ( 100 % ) of awe 2019s sales and 51% ( 51 % ) of its operating profit . prior to increasing our ownership interest , we accounted for our investment in awe using the equity method of accounting . under the equity method , we recognized only 33% ( 33 % ) of awe 2019s earnings or losses and no sales . accordingly , prior to august 24 , 2016 , the date we obtained control , we recorded 33% ( 33 % ) of awe 2019s net earnings in our operating results and subsequent to august 24 , 2016 , we recognized 100% ( 100 % ) of awe 2019s sales and 51% ( 51 % ) of its operating profit . we accounted for this transaction as a 201cstep acquisition 201d ( as defined by u.s . gaap ) , which requires us to consolidate and record the assets and liabilities of awe at fair value . accordingly , we recorded intangible assets of $ 243 million related to customer relationships , $ 32 million of net liabilities , and noncontrolling interests of $ 107 million . the intangible assets are being amortized over a period of eight years in accordance with the underlying pattern of economic benefit reflected by the future net cash flows . in 2016 , we recognized a non-cash net gain of $ 104 million associated with obtaining a controlling interest in awe , which consisted of a $ 127 million pretax gain recognized in the operating results of our space business segment and $ 23 million of tax-related items at our corporate office . the gain represented the fair value of our 51% ( 51 % ) interest in awe , less the carrying value of our previously held investment in awe and deferred taxes . the gain was recorded in other income , net on our consolidated statements of earnings . the fair value of awe ( including the intangible assets ) , our controlling interest , and the noncontrolling interests were determined using the income approach . divestiture of the information systems & global solutions business on august 16 , 2016 , we divested our former is&gs business , which merged with leidos , in a reverse morris trust transaction ( the 201ctransaction 201d ) . the transaction was completed in a multi-step process pursuant to which we initially contributed the is&gs business to abacus innovations corporation ( abacus ) , a wholly owned subsidiary of lockheed martin created to facilitate the transaction , and the common stock of abacus was distributed to participating lockheed martin stockholders through an exchange offer . under the terms of the exchange offer , lockheed martin stockholders had the option to exchange shares of lockheed martin common stock for shares of abacus common stock . at the conclusion of the exchange offer , all shares of abacus common stock were exchanged for 9369694 shares of lockheed martin common stock held by lockheed martin stockholders that elected to participate in the exchange . the shares of lockheed martin common stock that were exchanged and accepted were retired , reducing the number of shares of our common stock outstanding by approximately 3% ( 3 % ) . following the exchange offer , abacus merged with a subsidiary of leidos , with abacus continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of leidos . as part of the merger , each share of abacus common stock was automatically converted into one share of leidos common stock . we did not receive any shares of leidos common stock as part of the transaction and do not hold any shares of leidos or abacus common stock following the transaction . based on an opinion of outside tax counsel , subject to customary qualifications and based on factual representations , the exchange offer and merger will qualify as tax-free transactions to lockheed martin and its stockholders , except to the extent that cash was paid to lockheed martin stockholders in lieu of fractional shares . in connection with the transaction , abacus borrowed an aggregate principal amount of approximately $ 1.84 billion under term loan facilities with third party financial institutions , the proceeds of which were used to make a one-time special cash payment of $ 1.80 billion to lockheed martin and to pay associated borrowing fees and expenses . the entire special cash payment was used to repay debt , pay dividends and repurchase stock during the third and fourth quarters of 2016 . the obligations under the abacus term loan facilities were guaranteed by leidos as part of the transaction. .