A cylinder control module: selects one of N predetermined cylinder activation/deactivation patterns as a desired cylinder activation/deactivation pattern for cylinders of an engine, wherein N is an integer greater than two; and activates and deactivates opening of intake and exhaust valves of first and second ones of the cylinders that are to be activated based on the desired cylinder activation/deactivation pattern, respectively. A fuel control module provides fuel to the first ones of the cylinders and disables fueling to the second ones of the cylinders. The cylinder control module further: determines M possible ones of the N cylinder activation/deactivation patterns, wherein M is an integer greater than or equal to one; selectively compares the M possible cylinder activation/deactivation patterns with the desired cylinder activation/deactivation pattern; and selectively updates the desired cylinder activation/deactivation pattern to one of the M possible cylinder activation/deactivation patterns.