To approximate a simple root of an equation we construct families of iterative maps of higher order of convergence. These maps are based on model functions which can be written as an inner product. The main family of maps discussed is defined recursively and is called {it Newton-barycentric}. We illustrate the application of Newton-barycentric maps in two worked examples, one dealing with a typical least squares problem and the other showing how to locate simultaneously a great number of extrema of the Ackleys function.